On a chilly spring morning 8 guests and a guide set out from Nossob for this week’s adventure. Traveling north in the river bed to the start of the trail we sighted 2 Cheetah looking interested in some springbok, yet the Springbok moved off before any action happened. We also had sightings of some White backed Vultures along the way. Arriving at the start of the trail some advice on tackling the trail as well as a few trail rules were given. Thus we left the Nossob River and her flood plains behind as we headed into the dunes and the Savanna grasslands that dominate the rolling dunes in the area. Stopping for lunch the group became acquainted with each other. Once on the road again we stopped to examine some rat and mice burrows as well as discussing the Black thorn, 3 Thorn and some cocoons. Coming into the camp some old Hyena tracks were seen leading into the camp. An inspection of the camp showed no fresh animal activity. Once set up the group settled in for what was good night under the African night sky with a fantastic sunset. That night after a good supper we enjoyed some hot chocolate that had been mixed with a stick from the 3 thorn. With full tummies and satisfied we drifted off to bed.

Day 2

Waking up the next morning and checking the camp we discovered that we had been visited during the night by 2 lions who had walked around the outside of the camp stopping to investigate the 2 toilets, before moving off down the road. Thus there was much to talk about before setting off for the days drive. Stopping at Eileen pan we sighted some Red Hartebeest, and enjoyed some coffee and the view over the pan. We took some breaks along the road to discuss the Rosyntjiebos and the Silver Cluster Leaves and the some of the roles they play in the lives of the San. Thus we came to Bertha after letting tyres down and some advice tackled Bertha and enjoyed the view from the top before stopping on the other side for a pleasant lunch and to re-inflate our tyre’s. The afternoon drive was a pleasant one with a nice sighting of a lone Cheetah resting in the shade of a shepherd’s tree. We arrived at the camp site to discover that it had been visited recently by Jackal, Hyena and Ostrich. After another amazing Rosyntjiebos sunset we had another enjoyable African night under the stars with little Whistling Rats and field mice coming to say hallo. Much of the nights discussion was of the stars and many of the constellations that are in the sky with everyone able to contribute to the conversation.

Day 3

After a chilly night we found that there had been no nocturnal visitors to the camp. The sunrise did not let us down. We enjoyed some coffee and rusk’s before packing up and heading off to see what the day would hold for us. We arrived at a rather windy look out point to view the plain where we had spent the night and to see what lay ahead for us. We moved on stopping to discuss Aardvark and Meerkat’s burrows as well as the Devils claw. At last arriving at the lunch stop were we found some old lion tracks that were passing through, we were able to enjoy lunch. Shortly after leaving the lunch site we sighted 1 male and 2 female Lions on the crest of one of the dunes who posed nicely for us before moving down into the dune street and off into the distance. We proceeded off now with much excitement. Stopping to look at one of the lions old kills some nests and irregular dunes before arriving at the last camp site for the trail. Gemsbok, Red Hartebeest and Meerkat’s rounded off a days sightings. Once settled into camp we settled down for a last enjoyable night on the trail and the night was a pleasant one.

Day 4

With the wind having picked up during the night we woke up to a fresh morning, with no signs of any nocturnal visitors to the camp. Setting off we discovered that there had been no new visitors to the waterhole either. So we set off again to find that there were lion tracks on the road over our tyre tracks between the junctions. So the lions had been on the move. We stopped to examine another carcass and a large Shepard’s tree, while enjoying the rolling dunes of the area. Finally arriving back at the Nossob River and the end of the trail were people who had started the trail as strangers said good bye as friends.

Day 1So on a fresh spring morning 4 guests and a guide set out from Nossob and headed north to start this week’s adventure on the trail not quite sure what adventures lay in wait for us. Stopping at the start of the trail to discuss some trail rules and pointers we set off for the dunes. Leaving the river and flood plains behind we headed into the rolling dunes and Savannas grassland that dominate the area. At the lunch stop it gave everyone a little more time to become better acquainted. During the day we had Sighting’s of Wildebeest, Gemsbok and Steenbok as well as stopping to discuss the 3 thorn, Black thorn and some cocoons. We arrived at the camp mid afternoon. Once set up we spent the rest of a warm afternoon relaxing in the shade chatting. With the Swartbas sunset coming to the party we enjoyed a lively evening chatting around the fire under the African night sky.

Day 2We were woken before dawn to the sounds of chewing and tugging on guy ropes of the tents. Peering out of my roof top tent discovered that there was a spotted hyena wanting to have a taste of my front tyre with some firm persuasion it decided that it was not such a great idea and moved off. Once we rose there was much animated discussion about the goings on with the visitors to the camp as we also discovered the tracks of a second Hyena. So with this excitement we packed up and took off to see what other surprises the trail had for us. At Eileen pan we enjoyed a short break to stretch the legs and enjoy the view over the pan with 2 Lapped Faced Vultures sorting over head. No sooner had we left the pan than we had a sighting of a lone Cheetah. We made one more stop at a view point before we arrived at BERTHA, after some mixed success we rested for some lunch and to inflate our tyres. With Gemsbok, Wildebeest, Market and a Tawny Eagle rounding off the sightings we arrived at the camp with enough time to be able to enjoy some birding before the Rosyntjiebos sunset amazed us again and we were able to enjoy another night under a starry sky.

Day 3We woke up to find that there were Jackal tracks in the road leading into the camp, and thus we were able to enjoy another amazing sunrise before setting off for the day. Stopping at a rather windy view point we were able to look down over the plain where we had spent the previous evening and look to what lay ahead. With some stops along the route we arrived at the mid way point to enjoy some lunch on a day that had warmed nicely. The afternoon drive was a pleasant one with some stoppes along the way at things of interested that brought about much discussion we were able to have sightings of a Martial Eagle, Eland, Ostrich, Steenbok and Gemsbok, before we arrived at the last camp site for the trail. Here we were able to enjoy another afternoon of discussions before the setting sun brought the night along and with a fire burning we were able to have a pleasant last night on the trail.

Day 4We awoke on the last morning to find that we had been visited by 3 lions during the night that had walked through the camp on their way down to the water hole to drink before heading off up the road. So there was again much talk around the camp as we prepared to set off for the day’s drive. Stopping at the water hole to look who else had come to the water hole to drink we were treated to a jackal that came to the water hole very cautiosly and have a drink right in front of us. So with this fantastic start to the day we were off for the rest of the days happenings. With some interest stops and viewpoints we were able to round off a pleasant drive to the end of the trail with sightings of Honey Badger, Gemsbok and Eland. So we arrived at the end of the trail where people who had started the trail as strangers said good bye as friends before we set off at our own paces back to Twee Revirien.

On a warm spring morning 8 guests and 2 guides set off from Nossob for this weeks trail and what adventures lay in store for us. Arriving at the beginning of the trail some rules and how to tackle the trail were discussed. Thus we left the Nossob River and her flood plains and headed into the dunes for a pleasant drive through rolling savanna that dominates this part to the lunch stop where there were many topics that came up for discussion while we enjoyed some shade during the lunch break. Setting off again we sopped to discuss some of the plants that can be found. Arriving at the camp to find a welcoming committee of Red Hartebeest close to the camp that rounded off the day’s sightings of Gemsbok, Steenbok and Kori Bastard. With the camp set up we could get the fire going and settle down around the fire for a night under the African night skies with much chatting.

Day 2

We rose to find an overcast day in which we experienced some light rain while we were packing up the camp and so a little wetter than usual we were on the road again with the clouds still around. Arriving at Eileen pan we enjoyed a break and a chance to stretch the legs. On the road again we made a few stops of interest before we arrived at Bertha with some mixed success at the dune we stopped on the other side for lunch and to re-inflate our tyres on what was a humid day. Once all of this was done we set off to enjoy the afternoon drive. We arrived at the camp with enough time to set up and still enjoy some time in the afternoon to relax in the shade. As the sun provided another amazing sunset the fire was started and we settled in for another night in the African bush, with some long pleasant discussions around the fire. In the distance we could see the light from what was a veld fire burning, yet was too far off to pose any worry to us but did provide some chatter.

Day3

With no night time visitors to the camp we packed up and set off for the day. At the view point we could see the smoke of the fire dominating the sky line yet still far of in the distance. We continued with the day stopping at some of the points of interest during the day as well as enjoying a leisurely lunch at the old camp site. On leavening the lunch site we were a few kilometers down the road when we sited a large male lion lying on the dunes which got everyone talking, with pictures taken we set off for the afternoons drive again with the smoke from the fire ever present. We were able to stop off at some more points of interest during the afternoon drive. With the smoke from the fire drawing ever closer we started to think more of alternative plans. Then coming over a dune we could see the fire off in the distance. We continued with caution all the while being in radio contact with colleges who were monitoring the fire. While some kilometers from the camp we were informed that we would need to turn back as it would be too unsafe to continue to the last night’s camp. Thus we had to turn around and make our way back along the trail and head to the Nossob River where we could head to the Kij Kij camp site where we would be able to spend the last night. So with some kilometers added on to the trip we made up some lost time and arrived at the new camp sight as the sun was setting. Once set up we were able to relax for our last night in the bush on the trail. There was much to talk about with the day’s adventures still fresh in our minds. With the camp near a water hole we were able to see a Brown and 2 Spotted Hyenas coming to the water hole to drink.

Day 4

We rose at the usual time and in time to watch a lone Spotted Hyena at the water hole which was a pleasant sight to watch. With the distance to the main Nossob road shorter than usual we were able to leave some time later than our usual departure time and enjoy packing up the camp at a far more relaxed space. This also gave us some time to look at a carcass that was near the water hole. Once back at the main road all the adventurers who had started the trail as strangers said their farewells as friends before we headed of in our own directions at our own pace.

Report for 4x4 trail 29 October to 01 November 2012-11-03Day 1So 5 adventurers and a guide set off from Twee Rivirien on a warm Monday morning for this week’s adventure. With a lion sighting and a flat tyre before the start of the trail in was going to be an interesting trail. At the start of the trail the rules were given for the trail. We then left the Nossob behind us and set off into the dunes to see what they would hold for us this week. With another mechanical problem and sightings of Gemsbok and steenbok, as well as jackal and Vulture at the camp when we arrived we arrived at our first camp for the trail. It was a pleasant drive for the first day but the dunes are getting softer as the days get warmer. We did however enjoy a good lunch in the shade of some camel thorns. Arriving at the camp we had some time to relax before we set up camp and were able to enjoy the African night under the stars.

Day 2The day started early hours of the morning as we had a pride of rather playful lions in the camp, which spent some time exploring the camp and making off with a bag of wood and examining many of the other things in the camp site. When we rose at 6 in the morning with much to discuss about the previous night as we enjoyed some breakfast before packing up the camp and setting off to see what the day would hold for us. We were able to see Jackal and Eland at the water hole before we left. We had some stops at a lookout point and some stops of interest before we arrived at the lunch stop for another pleasant lunch in the shade of some camel thorns. On the road again we enjoyed tackling a few small dunes more points of interest and a final lookout point. Gemsbok and Steenbok rounded off our days sightings as we pulled into camp to find that we had our second flat tyre of the trail. With that changed we had some time again to relax before setting up camp for the night. Around the fire that night under the moon light we enjoyed a pasta dish and listened to the night sounds.

Day 3While on a camp check in the morning it was discovered that we had been visited by a female leopard and her cub during the night and they had walked passed the shower and the toilets. So we had some more conversation over breakfast about our night time visitor. This was turning into an eventful trip. So our day got underway and our morning drive involved more points of interest and lookout points. We arrived at Eileen pan for lunch which looked and felt more like a pleasant day trip out than the third day of a 4x4 trail. Just before leaving for the afternoon part of the day we had to change our third flat tyre, hope this is the last as we are running out of spare tyres. The rest of the afternoon went well with our sightings of Gemsbok with young as well as Hartebeest with young. We arrived at our last camp site for the trail where time was spent fixing all the flat tyres. With this done and camp finally set up we could settle down to all enjoy our last night on the trail, around the fire we enjoyed the African night sounds of the Jackal and Lions calling.

Day 4We rose after a peaceful night’s sleep in which we had no nocturnal visitors. After another marvellous breakfast we set off for the last morning of the trail through sweeping savannah grasslands and undulating dunes that dominate this section of the trail. After too short stops and some amazing sweeping views we finally arrived back at the Nossob River and her flood plains where we came to the end of another adventure where again people who had started the trail as strangers said good bye as friends.